Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Those words that make your heart sink and made the tears come instantly.

My boys. All of them...all four of them in the car together.

Yesterday was a crazy, full, exhausting day.

Trevor had dropped me off for a quick 15 minute appointment and was driving the kids around the block when an 87 year old lady with dogs blocking her view, pulled out into traffic and hit the driver side, passenger door where Camden sits.

SO many things to be thankful for:

Trev saw her and sped up a bit, so the impact could have been worse

We have a Honda Pilot so the car sits up high and the damage was to the bottom part of the door by the tire. If we had been in a sedan or other car....I don't even want to think about what would have happened.

Monday, January 30, 2012

She contacted me about being a guest poster and I loved her blog and her outlook, so of course I said yes!

Please make her feel welcome and after reading her fabulous post, head to her blog and start following!

A Lesson on Creation

When I was 6 or 7, I concocted a brilliantplan, a way to make me rich and famous. I felt so proud of myself. I grabbed a piece of paper, a pencil, and my family’s copy of Green Eggs and Ham. In my untidy first-grade scrawl, I wrote the words:

“That Sam-I-am! That Sam-I-am!

I do not like that Sam-I-am!”

My plan was to write out, word-for-word, the entire story. I would sell it under my name, and everyone would love “my” book and acclaim me as the most talented and amazing author in the world.

I think I got as far as the third or fourth page, and then I stopped. Copying an entire book took a lot more work than I thought; my hand got tired and my brain got bored. I quickly abandoned my chance at fame and fortune in favor of playing in the front yard.

Since then, I have learned the meaning (and illegality) of plagiarism. I have also learned that there is much more joy in creating with my own mind and hands than there could ever be in fame and fortune. I think that’s what we, as humans, are meant to do. Inan eternal as well as temporal sense, we are creators.Blogs, books, music, paintings, homes, children, businesses—we all find joy and fulfillment in creation. And what a beautifuljoy it is! What a privilege it is to be a creator, in my own small ways.

I am slowly becoming more and more active in the blogging community. I am astounded and encouraged by the amazing works of my fellow creators—women just like me, with children, jobs, husbands, and busy schedules. It is empowering to be part of a community that finds joy in adding a little more beauty to the world through sharing our many-faceted talents.

I have a 7 month old son named Noah. He is the light and joyof my life. Each week he surprises me with learning something new—a new sound, a new tooth, a new favorite food. Lately, he’s been learning how to scoot himself around on his tummy. It’s quite impressive to watch my previously immobile baby suddenly know how to push himself backwards or around in circles. He even does funny little push-ups, managing to lift his entire body off the floor while his hands and toes support him. He can hold the pose for a few seconds before collapsing and returning to pushing himself in circles.

Watching his activities awakened a new thoughtin my brain. Many of the movements he makes, like the push-ups, are prelude to the almighty feat of crawling. Eventually, Noah will learn to get his knees under his tummy. Before too long, we will be putting baby gates up and he will wear us out with chasing him. But he doesn’t know this. He has no idea what crawling is. He just knows that he has a new trick in his arsenal of abilities. He just does it because he can.

What if we, as adults, are much more like babies than we think? We tend to feel so certain that we know where we’re going. We think we are so put together with our goals and lists and projects. I know I do.But what if all the things we work for every day, the things and relationships we create, are all pushing us toward a much greater developmental milestone than we have the ability to conceive? What if God, seeing our progress, rejoices in a new ability or a new achievement just as I rejoice over my son’s first tooth?

This thought makes me value my everyday creations—a clean kitchen sink, a happy baby, a new craft project, a great blog post, a spirit of love and peace in my home—that much more. Perhaps all these little things I’m learning now will come in handy in a much more wonderful way than I could ever have imagined.

About Me:

I’m just a new mom with a passion for homemaking, good books, Star Trek, and long summer days. I started blogging to help me remember the good things, the small and simple things that make life worth living. Life is mostly about having joy, and the time to start having more joy is always now!I love how Camilla Eyring Kimball (a smart and wise woman!) said it: “You do not find the happy life. You make it.” Walk in Joy is a blog about my efforts to make the happy life, whether that’s through cooking, crafting, reading, or cherishing the little moments with my husband and baby. I hope you’ll walk with me!

If you liked this post, please share with your friends and head over to Sarah's blog! Walk in Joy

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

I got some great response from some awesome women who would like to be a guest on my blog! I am planning on having a guest post every Friday (exuding the twins birthday of course!) through March!!! I have some Twin Mama's, some Mama's, a birth photographer, a photographer who is doing a giveaway, a local business woman/mom of the cutest boys who are on the autism spectrum and who also happened to have just had her house made-over by Extreme Makeover Home Edition, a few amazing posts from some of the most encouraging blogs out there and MORE!!!

Excited?!?!? I am!!

I'd gladly take more if you are interested and return the favor if you'd like :) It's free advertising and it's fun! Just let me know!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Yesterday was awful. I woke up and from the first moment I could tell my patience tank hadn't been filled. I was running on empty and it was only breakfast time. I uttered prayers as the day began.

Jack literally emptied everything he could today, on the floor. Drawers of bowls and dishes, every toy bin, even the wipes container!! He has never done that. He was rough with his brothers, he didn't listen....he really pushed every last button of mine.

To top it off, Camden fell so many times today. He's learning to stand and walk and he's so clumsy. So that on top of his top tooth being huge and swollen and white and oh so close to popping though just made it that much worse.

Christian decided not to fall asleep at his usual time which meant for the second nap, he was awake while his brothers slept and vice versa. Which meant Mommy didn't get a little break.

I needed out. I decided we'd go for a drive and Mommy would get a coffee.

I asked Jack to be a great helper and get socks for his brothers. He did.

We left, and came back and picked up where we left off.

Trevor came home and after dinner I was picking up the rooms. Nearly in tears at the stress of the day and praying for patience.

Then I walked into the babies room and socks were everywhere.

All over the floor.

Just as I started to get upset, I breathed deep and asked to SEE.

I saw it. I looked and I saw.

I saw that he was helping get socks. He did what I asked. It was easiest for him to see the socks by dumping them out and picking out which ones he liked. He quickly brought them back to me. And he was proud. So happy to be helping, happy to see Mommy's face, see how he was being a good listener.

So, no...yesterday wasn't filled with a lot of moments where I could separate myself to look over the day and see joy too much.

One of my all time favorites and it was so awesome to take Jack. My parents stayed with the babies and we took him to Red Robin (his favorite place because of the tractor game you can play to get candy) and then headed to the movie.

He did great. Didn't leave his glasses on the whole time, but since mostly it's just the background that's 3D (in most parts) it really was fine.

So, if you were wondering if you should take your little one because of that....it's fine. They won't get a headache and will see fine without the glasses :)

6. Both boys got haircuts this past week, it was Christian's second one. They did great but it still didn't convince Jack to let us cut his.

HUGE battle, and basically the ONLY battle we have with him.

We resort to buzzing it off at home while he screams bloody murder. But I miss his spikey hair so we are trying to grow it out.

Ugh....any tips?!

He hates the noise and the itchiness. It seriously makes him all red and blotchy.

7. Went out with our local twin mama group last week, it was so nice. Love being able to talk to other mama's who just get it.

8. One more shout out....this twin mama had her babies at 27 weeks and is now giving back to March of Dimes. Go hereand see what's she's doing (it involves awesome giveaways!)

Saturday, January 21, 2012

I thought it'd be fun for ya if I let you in on "a day in the life of".....us!

I'll start off by saying, it took awhile to get here, and of course kids are always changing it up so this isn't set in stone, but it's pretty much our daily routine and routine is so so good for kids of all ages! I can't stress that enough.

I will clarify, that in the early months (0-5/6) don't worry about it. Those months are for learning your baby, mastering breastfeeding (if you are doing that) getting sleep when you can and loving on your kids. Don't stress about a schedule that early on. If you child falls into that naturally, then GREAT! You are a lucky one! But if not, you're just going to stress yourself out and also your kids. Take it from one who has done that :/

So...Jack is almost 3 1/2 and goes to Preschool three mornings a week from 8:10-11:10 and the little ones will be 1 next month. We've been on this schedule for a few months now.

And I'll give you the "School Day Schedule"

6:00-6:30am Everyone is up!

Jack drinks some milk on the couch with a little Disney Channel and wakes up.

Babies drink 9oz bottles on the floor propped up by Boppy's.

Diapers are changed

7:15 Trev showers and gets ready for work

I help get Jack dressed and prepare his snack

Babies roam :)

7:30 Try to get Jack to eat, usually he'll take something in the car like a pancake.

On non-school days he doesn't' eat until 8:00am, so I think that's why he just doesn't want to on these days.

7:50 Trev and Jack head off for school/work!

8:00 Babies and I eat breakfast

Something like eggs, waffles, pancakes, toast, bananas, pears...etc.

8:30 Get the babies dressed

9:00 Babies go down for a nap and I jump in the shower, and get ready.

Then I will do my devotions and blogging/facebook stuff.

10:15-10:40 Babies wake

Usually Christian is up first, then Camden

10:50 Load up car and head to get Jack from school!

11:10 Head home

11:30-11:45 Lunch

Grilled cheese, PB&J, cheese, fruits, veggies etc

I feed them all the same thing

1:00pm Nap time for all 3!!

Do housework that I can't do while they are all awake

2:00-3:00 Everyone slowly gets up, Christian usually first then Camden and then Jack

3:00-3:30 Snack time

Crackers, goldfish, cheerios etc

3:30-5:00 During this time we may have a play-date, run errands, clean house etc

5:00 6oz bottle for babies

5:30-6:00 Dinner followed by bath on "bath day" for all 3

6:30-7:00 Bedtime for babies

We get time with Jack until bedtime which is 7:30 on school nights and 8:00 on the other nights

8:00-11:00pm is Mommy and Daddy time!We catch up on the day, pray together, watch some TV and just relax and maybe read. :)

So, there ya go! It's busy, there are moments of absolute chaos, there are timeouts and tears and frustrations which obviously aren't on the schedule :)

We used the Weissbluth book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child for all three and it is a wonderful book!

Like I said, I think schedules and routine are important....and an early bedtime is so crucial! It's important for their brain development and how little ones work. And that book will teach you how. They are doctors and have many many years of experience.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

We've finally caught a break from the sicknesses, the colds and the stomach bugs.

Trev's finally back into a routine at work and I'm starting to run again.

I am not saying it's easy to seek JOY, to count it all JOY. In fact, it's ridiculously hard.

And at some points in my day while the kids are screaming, pulling on my hair (them not me)

trying to clean up all while realizing I haven't eaten yet....I wonder.

Is this even possible?

To see JOY in all things.

To demand JOY in my life.

To set up my kids to feel JOY in the midst of our day.

To make my home filled with JOY.

No. It's not possible.

It just isn't...if I'm the one trying to make it that way.

I fail. I let my emotions get the best of me, I let the situation control me and I forget.

I forget to live and breathe and be.

So, I'm learning that I cannot seek JOY in all things. Because, as we know...somethings are not joyful.But if I choose to see through His eyes, to ask Him to show me where there is JOY or what it actually means.......

then, in this I am learning....what that looks like.

JOY isn't a fake happy face, or pretend words that fill the air.

It isn't

"life is wonderful, it smells like cupcakes and I love everything about everyone"

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Have you read this girl's blog? You should. And then you should look at her photography and made design skills, and then you should look and see how old she is. And you will be blown away. I have followed her and her Mama's blog for awhile now and I won a design makeover on my first blog from Hannah. They are always both encouraging and inspiring. Check em out.

Hannah posted this, and I thought I'd go ahead and do the same. Here I AM

I AM… me, what you see is what you get.I WANT… to do more than just what's comfortable and known....I've done that for 28 years now...it's getting old. I HAVE… the best family in the world, for realI KEEP… every card Trevor ever gave me, and most art projects Jack does.I WISH I COULD…travel more, lots more.I HATE…being late, fakeness, and dry hands.I FEAR… heights and turbulence.I HEAR… what you don't say. I hear it in your eyes. I DON'T THINK… that I will ever have the patience of Michelle Duggar, although I pray for it.I REGRET… not sticking up for myself more at church in jr. high. people were mean. sad huh? Just wish I could go back and be more confident. I LOVE… Jesus, my boys (all 4 of them) my family, my amazing friends, pizza, ice cream, taking pictures of people I love, writing and reading.I AM NOT… crafty or patient or quiet or silent about my thoughtsI DANCE… crazy to FF5 with my boys when we need a stress reliever. I SING… awful. But I still sing....just not loud enough for my amazingly talent husband to hear.I NEVER… drink just plain coffee. My 6 years of working as a Barista ruined that for me. I RARELY… go to bed when I should....I CRY WHEN…something emotional is on TV, or I hear something emotional...I'm an easy crier. I don't mind.I AM NOT ALWAYS…good at keeping my mouth shut, or keeping a clean houseI HATE THAT…people care so much about what other people think and that I can't just travel and eat for moneyI'M CONFUSED ABOUT…why Mama's are so competitive with one another. Who started that? I wanna chat with her...I NEED… less of me. More of Him.I SHOULD… go to bed earlier, breathe more during the day, stretch before I run, run more, write more letters

That's me. And you? If you do one of these, let me know or email me or put it in my comments :) And let Hannah know too :)

Pacifiers are now only for nap and bedtime, and soon those will be gone as well.

Sleeps from 6:30-7:00pm-6:00-7:00

with 2 naps a day at 9&1 for between 1-2 hours.

He is really vocal now, which is crazy because again...he was the last to start "talking"

says "tit-tit" when he sees the cat

says "kak" for Jack and "chch" for cheese.

Mama's boy through and through.

His top tooth is breaking through as I type! That will be #3

He loves bath time

And he loves the ball pit we had Jack get them for Christmas.

Christian

He loves food too

And makes the funniest faces!

Oh my little bean.

He's maybe 16lbs now...but growing right along his own growth curve, inching closer and closer each time...he's perfectly healthy, just tiny. Funny thing is, his weights almost perfectly match mine at his age. :)

He has taken his first steps and then some!

9 is the max so far, but every day he tries and takes several here and there. He gets so excited, and I know that this guy, once he's walking will actually just go to running.

He is eating really well and basically likes the same things Camden does, but he is doing pretty good with the sippy cup.

Sleeping about the same as Camden, only usually shorter naps by a bit.

He's totally talking. Like it sounds like full on real sentences, just can't understand him. It's the cutest thing, and we keep trying to video it!

He is the kid who makes everyone feel like they are his favorite. He will go to anyone, snuggle anyone, and not let them put him down. He's a lover.

He does have his favorites....but he'll make anyone think they are.

He's a Daddy's boy. Loves to greet Trevor and demands to be picked up.

They have gotten pretty clingy and whiny, and I remember this was the age Jack did too, until he started walking. Once he was able to become independent, he was fine. I'm so glad I journaled with Jack, so I can look back and see!

They love to follow Jack around, and the other day Trev heard a knocking and found Christian at Jack's door (which was closed because he was napping)

knocking on the door with a ball. :)

They love to be out and about, love people, love to chat, love to eat, love to find that cat, love Jack's toys (especially his monkey and lovey which are of course off limits) love to sing/listen to music, love to be held.

All 3 boys were recently sick, and Christian developed an ear infection after. Then Jack brought home the stomach flu from his first day back to school after Christmas break...then Christian got it and Trevor and I had it yesterday. We are SO ready for a break from the ickies!!

Happy 11 Months gorgeous boys!

Yep...Ducks won :) Sorry to my Uncle's...I promise I am still a Beaver at heart...and they DO have Beaver gear...just doesn't get worn often :/

Entering my picture of "Honey" to win some sweet actions from an awesome twin mama who has awesome twin boys just like mine. Here are two of my honey's....and Camden's nickname is Bear, like Pooh Bear...who loves Honey. It fits.

Monday, January 9, 2012

It's nearing the end of Monday, Multitude Monday. And I'm just now able to sit at this computer. I came down with the stomach flu last night, and Trev woke up with it. So we were both feeling awful today.But I tried, even in the midst of my discomfort and pain to seek the JOY.

I was so thankful that I had a toilet to use, and that that toilet wasn't also my shower water.

I was thankful for my amazing family who came over and helped with the boys so we could rest.

I'm thankful for blue Gatorade staying down.

And boy am I thankful that the stomach bug doesn't' last long.

Jack had it last week, 24hrs...two days later Christian had it. So...Camden seems to be the only escapee so far and I've bleach everything in site!!

I haven't run in 3 weeks. I got that nasty cold, then my eyes had an allergic reaction and got infected, and then last week I got in one short run but my energy was gone. And now this....I feel I'm being sabotaged!!!

Got to get back into it, hopefully it won't be too tough.

I was reminded that the way I felt today, is how I was for over 12 weeks with the twins. Yikes. Not fun memories....but boy there are so worth it. In two days you will see a post about them turning 11 months. I may or may not be freaking out...................